Inert Gas

Inert Gas System
1. Purpose
SOLAS Requirement
Must for liquid cargoes with f. pt < 60 C

For tanker by built date and tonnage
Prevention of fire and explosion
Capable of maintaining < 8 % O2 & +ive press at all times

Delivery rate at least 125 % of max cargo disch rate
Capable of delivering IG < 5% at supply mains any reqd flow
of IG
At least two non return devices one can be deck seal to prevent
backflow
One /more press/vacc breaking devices - against press more than
test press -
Vacc ve 700 mm water gauge
Instrumentation for indicating and permanently recording when
IGS running
Press of IG supply main
Oxy content of IG after blower discharge
Audible and visual alarms
LP / water flow for scrubber
High / low water level in scrubber
Blower failure
Power failure to automation system
High gas temperature
High oxy content 8 % and then 5 %
High / low water level in deck seal
LP / low flow for deck seal
Low / high gas pressure
/conversion/tmp/scratch/367933226.doc 1
IGS manual , approved
2. Define
Inert - oxygen deficient condition < 8 %
Inert gas - a gas having insufficient Oxy to support the combustion of HC
IG plant - all equipment to supply, cool, clean, pressurize inert gas
IG distribution sys - all piping, valves and associated fittings to distribute
IG system - means an inert gas plant and inert gas distribution system
Inerting - introduction of inert gas into a tank to attain the inert condition
Gas freeing - intro of fresh air into a tank, increasing oxy content to 21 %
Purging - intro of inert gas into a tank already in the inert condition, to :
(a) further reducing the existing oxygen content and/or

(b) reducing the existing hydrocarbon gas content
Flammable Limits
(1) A mixture of hydrocarbon gas and air cannot ignite, unless its composition lies within a
range of gas-in-air concentrations known as the flammable range.
(2) The lower limit of the range, known as the "lower flammable limit", is any
hydrocarbon concentration below which there is insufficient hydrocarbon gas to support
combustion.
(3) The upper limit of the range, known as the "upper flammable limit", is any
hydrocarbon concentration above which air is insufficient to support combustion.
(4) The flammable limits vary somewhat for different pure hydrocarbon gases and for the
gas mixtures derived from different petroleum liquids; in practice, however, the lower and
upper flammable limits of oil cargoes carried in tankers can be taken, for general purposes,
to be 1 per cent and 10 per cent hydrocarbon by volume, respectively.
3. Inerting medium , source and plant requirements
Nitrogen high cost , inconvenience
Flue gas
(a) the uptake from the ships main or auxiliary boilers;
(b) an independent inert gas generator, or
(c) a gas turbine plant equipped with an afterburner.
To maintain tanks in a non-flammable condition, the IG plant is required to:
(a) inert empty cargo tanks
(b) be operated during cargo discharge, deballasting and tank cleaning
(c) purge tanks prior to gas freeing
(d) top-up pressure in the cargo tanks when necessary
4. Quality
Good combustion control in ships boilers is necessary to achieve an oxygen content of 5 per
cent by volume; to obtain this quality, it may be necessary to use automatic control.
5. Methods of Gas Replacement

Three operations involve replacement of gas in cargo tanks, namely:
(a) inerting;
(b) purging;
(c) gas-freeing.
In each of these replacement operations, one of two processes can
predominate :
(a) dilution, which is a mixing process
(b) displacement, which is a layering process
The dilution theory assumes that the incoming gas mixes with the original
gases to form a homogeneous mixture throughout the tank; the result is that
the concentration of the original gas decreases exponentially.
Ideal replacement happens when a stable horizontal interface exists between
the lighter gas entering at the top of the tank and the heavier gas being
displaced from the bottom of the tank through some suitable piping
arrangement; this method requires a relatively low entry velocity of gas and, in
practice, more than one volume change is necessary; it is therefore important
to achieve the required degree of gas replacement throughout the tank.
6. Description of an Inert Flue Gas System

Flue gas isolating valves are located at the boiler uptake points, through which
pass hot, dirty gases to the scrubber and demister; here the gas is cooled and
cleaned before being piped to blowers, which deliver the gas through the deck
water seal, the non-return valve and the deck isolating valve to the cargo tanks.
A gas pressure regulating valve is fitted downstream of the blowers to regulate

the flow of gases to the cargo tank.
A liquid-filled pressure vacuum breaker is fitted to prevent excessive pressure

or vacuum from causing structural damage to cargo tanks.
A vent is fitted between the deck isolating/non-return valve and the gas
pressure regulating valve to vent any leakage when the plant is shut down.
For delivering inert gas to the cargo tanks during cargo discharge, de-
ballasting, tank cleaning, and for topping up the pressure of gas in the tank
during other phases of the voyage, an inert gas deck main runs forward from
the deck isolating valve for the length of the cargo deck; from this inert gas
main, inert gas branch lines lead to the top of each cargo tank.
Function of Scrubber
cools flue gas, removes sulphur dioxide and particulate soot
Before entering the scrubbing tower, gas is cooled by
either passing through a water spray,
or bubbling through a water seal ,
In scrubber gas moves upwards through downward flowing water
layers made up of
(a) spray nozzles;
(b) trays of "packed" stones or plastic chippings;
(c) perforated "impingement" plates;
(d) venturi nozzles and slots.
At top of scrubber , water droplets are removed by one or more
demisters which may be polypropylene mattresses or cyclone
dryers
Design of Scrubber
The scrubber design related to the type of tanker cargoes and
combustion control , capable of dealing with the quantity of inert
gas required
The scrubber at full gas flow should be able to remove solids and
at least 90 per cent of sulphur dioxide
The internal of scrubber should be constructed of corrosion
resistant materials or the internal parts may be lined with rubber,
glass fibre epoxy resin or other equivalent material
Adequate openings and sight glasses be provided for inspection,
cleaning etc the sight glasses should be reinforced be heat resistant
The location of the scrubber above the load waterline should be
such that the drainage of the effluent is not impaired when the ship
is fully loaded.
Function of Inert Gas Blowers

Blowers deliver the scrubbed flue gas ,at least two blowers are
required, which together deliver at a rate of at least 125 per cent of the
maximum discharge rate expressed as a volume.
Installations vary - one large blower and one small blower,
- each blower 125 %
The advantage in (1) is for topping up
The advantage in (2) is - either blower is defective the other one is
capable of maintaining a positive gas pressure in the cargo tanks without
extending the duration of the cargo discharge.
Design of Inert Gas Blowers

The blower casing of corrosion-resistant material or of mild steel (its
internal surfaces should be stove-coated, or lined with rubber or glass
fibre epoxy resin or other equivalent material )
The impellers of a corrosion-resistant material; aluminum, bronze
impellers should be stress relieved after welding; all impellers should be
tested by overspeeding to 20 per cent above the design running speed of
the electric motor, or 10 per cent above the speed at which the overspeed
trip of the turbine would operate, whichever is applicable.
Drains fitted with water seals, should be provided in the casing to
prevent damage by an accumulation of water;
Means for fresh water washing should be provided
The casing should be adequately ribbed to prevent panting
The casing be so designed as to facilitate the removal of the rotor without
disturbing major parts of the inlet and outlet gas connections.
Sufficient openings in the casing should be provided to permit inspection.
Where separate shafts are provided for the prime mover and the blower, a
flexible coupling between these shafts should be provided.
When roller or ball bearings - brinelling and the method of lubrication;
if sleeve bearings - then resilient mountings are not recommended.
The blower pressure/volume characteristics should be matched to the

maximum system requirements; the characteristics should be such that, in
the event of the discharge of any combination of cargo tanks at the
maximum discharge rate ,a minimum pressure of 200 millimetres water
gauge is maintained in any cargo tank after allowance is made for
pressure losses due to:
(a) the scrubber tower and demister;
(b) the piping conveying the hot gas to the scrubbing tower;
(c) the distribution piping downstream of the scrubber;
(d) the deck water seal;
(e) the length and diameter of the inert gas distribution system.
When both blowers are not of equal capacity, the pressure-volume
characteristics and inlet and outlet piping should be so matched that, if
both blowers can be run in parallel, they are able to develop their
designed outputs; the arrangements should be such as to prevent the
blower on load from motoring the blower that is stopped or has tripped
out.
If the prime mover is an electric motor, then it should be of sufficient
power to ensure that it will not overload under any possible operating
conditions of the blower; the overload power requirement should be
based on the blower inlet conditions of -5 degrees Celsius at -400
millimetres water gauge and outlet conditions of 0 degrees Celsius and
atmospheric pressure; arrangements should be provided, if necessary, to
maintain the windings in a dry condition during the inoperative period.
Function of Non-Return Devices

The deck water seal and mechanical non-return valve together provide the
means of automatically preventing the backflow of cargo gases from the
cargo tanks to the machinery spaces, or other safe area in which the inert
gas plant is located.
Deck Water Seal

The deck water seal is the main barrier, a water seal fitted that permits
inert gas to be delivered to the deck main but prevents any backflow of
cargo gas, it is vital that a supply of water is maintained to the seal at all
times, particularly when the inert gas plant is shut down; in addition,
drains should lead directly overboard and not pass through the machinery
spaces; one of three principal types of design may be adopted.
Wet type
This is the simplest type of water seal; when the inert gas plant is
operating, the gas bubbles through the water from the submerged inert
gas inlet pipe, but if the tank pressure exceeds the pressure in the inert gas
inlet line, the water is pressed up into this inlet pipe, thus preventing
backflow; the drawback to this type of water seal is that water may be
carried over with the inert gas, which, although not impairing the quality
of the inert gas, could increase corrosion; a demister should, therefore, be
fitted in the gas outlet from the water seal to reduce any carry-over;
Semi-dry type
Instead of bubbling through the water trap, the inert gas flow draws the
sealing water into a separate holding chamber by venturi action, thus
avoiding or at least reducing the amount of water being carried over;
otherwise this seal is functionally the same as the wet type;
Dry type
In this type, the water is drained when the inert gas plant is in operation
(gas flowing to the tanks), and filled with water when the inert gas plant
is either shut down or the tank pressure exceeds the inert gas blower
discharge pressure; filling and drainage are performed by automatically
operated valves controlled by the levels of the water seal and drop tanks
and by the operation of the blowers; the advantage of this type is that it
prevents water carry-over; the drawback could be the risk of failure of the
automatically controlled valves that may render the water seal ineffective
Deck Mechanical Non-return Valve and Deck Isolating Valve
As a further precaution against any backflow of gas from the cargo tanks
and any backflow of liquid that may enter the inert gas main if the cargo
tanks are overfilled, a mechanical non-return valve, or equivalent is
required; this should be fitted forward of the deck water seal and should
operate automatically at all times.
The valve should be provided with a positive means of closure or,
alternatively, a separate deck isolating valve fitted forward of the non-
return valve, so that the inert gas deck main may be isolated from the
non-return devices; the separate isolating valve has the advantage of
facilitating maintenance work on the non-return valve.
Inert Gas Vent Valve

The valve should be opened when the inert gas plant is shut down to
prevent leakage past the non-return devices from building up any pressure
in the inert gas line between the gas pressure regulating valve and these
non-return devices.
Design of Non-return Devices

The material for the non-return devices should be resistant to fire and to
corrosion , low carbon steel protected by a rubber lining or coated with
glass fibre epoxy resin or equivalent material may be used
The deck water seal should resist backflow of not less than the pressure
setting of the PV breaker on the inert gas distribution system;
Where the deck seals are of dry type or semi-dry type, it is to be arranged
such that the automatic sealing, equivalent to a wet type is achieved in
approximately 6 seconds.
flow of clean water through the deck seal reservoir
Sight glasses and inspection openings
Any drains from the non-return devices should incorporate a water seal.
Inert Gas Distribution System

The IG distribution system and cargo tank venting system has to provide:
means of delivering IG to cargo tanks during discharge, de-ballasting and

tank cleaning operations, and for topping up the pressure of gas in the
tank
means of venting gases to atm during cargo loading and ballasting
additional inlet or outlet points for inerting, purging and gas-freeing
means of isolating individual tanks from the IG main for gas-freeing
means of protecting tanks from excessive pressure or vacuum
Design Considerations of Valves and Pipework in IG System
Uptake point not close as gas too hot for scrubber or hard deposits on
the flue gas isolating valves , air heaters
Materials for flue gas isolating valves - cast iron is for temperatures
below 220 C ; temperature exceeding 220 C be of material compatible
with the temperature and resistant to corrosive effect of flue gases.
Flue gas isolating valves be provided with a seat cleaning action and air
sealing arrangement
Pipework between flue gas isolating valve and scrubber be made of
heavy gauge steel, corrosion resist and without unnecessary bends
Inlet piping to scrubber be so arranged as to have positive isolation from
the flue gases before scrubber is gas freed for entry for maintenance
IG outlet piping from the scrubber to the blower be coated internally
Isolation between inlet and outlet blower for overhaul and maintenance,
while the inert gas system uses the other blower
The gas regulating valve should be provided with means to indicate
whether the valve is open or shut; where the valve is used to regulate the
flow of inert gas, it should be controlled by the inert gas pressure sensed
between the deck isolating valve and the cargo tanks.
Deck lines - steel , self draining , firmly secured for movement due to
heavy weather, thermal expansion and flexing of the ship.
Dia of the IG main, valves and branch pipes should account for system
requirements , to avoid excessive pressure drop, the IG velocity should
not exceed 40 m/s in any section of the distribution system, when the
inert gas system is operating at its maximum capacity; if the IG main is
used for venting during loading, other factors may be considered
All PV relief openings should be fitted with flame screens , easy access
for cleaning and renewal , the flame screens should be at the inlets and
outlets and be robust to withstand the pressure of gas generated
Gas Pressure Regulating and Recirc Arrangements

Pressure control arrangements should be fitted to fulfill two functions:
to prevent automatically any backflow of gas in the event either of a

failure of the inert gas blower, scrubber pump, etc., or that the inert gas
plant is operating correctly, but the deck water seal and mechanical non-
return valve have failed, and the pressure of gas in the tank exceeds the
blower discharge pressure
to regulate the flow of inert gas to the inert gas deck main.
An arrangement by which the flow of inert gas can be regulated is with
auto press control and a gas recirculating line , gas not required in the
cargo tanks is recirculated to the scrubber or vented to the atmosphere
does not ensure, that scrubber is not overloaded
Arrangements for Inerting, Purging and Gas-freeing

There are three principal arrangements:
Arrangement Inlet point Outlet point Principle

I top top dilution
II bottom top dilution
III top bottom displacement or dilution
Liquid-filled Pressure-Vacuum Breakers
One liquid-filled pressure-vacuum breaker, or more, should be fitted,

unless pressure-vacuum valves are fitted that have the capacity to
prevent excessive pressure or vacuum.
These devices require little maintenance, but will operate at the required
pressure only if they are filled to the correct level with liquid of the
correct density; either a suitable oil or a freshwater/glycol mixture should
be used to prevent freezing in cold weather; evaporation, ingress of
seawater, condensation and corrosion should be taken into consideration
and adequately compensated for; in heavy weather, the pressure surge,
caused by the motion of liquid in the cargo tanks, may cause the liquid of
the pressure-vacuum breaker to be blown out
The designer should ensure that the characteristics of the deck water seal,
pressure-vacuum breakers and pressure-vacuum valves and the pressure
settings of the high and low inert gas deck pressure alarms are
compatible; it is also desirable to check that all pressure-vacuum devices
are operating at their designed pressure settings.
Instrumentation and Alarms
Instruments are required for the safe and effective operation of IG

system; instruments should be graduated to a consistent system of units.
Clear instructions should be provided for operating, calibrating and
testing all instruments and alarms
All required instrumentation and alarm equipment should be designed to
withstand supply voltage variation, ambient temperature changes,
vibration, humidity, shock, impact and corrosion normally encountered
on board ships.
The water to scrubber be monitored either by flow meter or pressure

gauges; low water flow / press alarm and the IG blower be stopped
The water level in the scrubber high and low water-level alarm ,
flooding of the scrubber inlet piping from the boiler uptakes.
The IG temp at the discharge side of the gas blowers - an alarm at
65 C and automatic shut down of the IG blowers at 75 C
To monitor scrubber efficiency, the cooler water inlet and outlet
temperatures and the scrubber differential pressures be indicated.
Deck water seal low water level alarm but before the seal is rendered
ineffective; for dry type it may be necessary to suppress the water level
alarm when IG is being supplied to the inert gas distribution system.
Pressure of IG in the inert gas main low , extra low , high shall be
monitored; an alarm be given when the pressure reaches the set limit
Arrangement for oxygen analyser, recorder and indicating equipment
Sampling point for the oxy analyser and recorder unit be located in the
pipework after the blowers and before the gas pressure regulating valve
The oxygen analyser should have an accuracy of 1 per cent of the full-
scale deflection of the indicator.
Depending on the principle of measurement, fixed zero and/or span
calibration arrangements should be provided in the vicinity of the oxygen
analyser, and fitted with suitable connections for portable analysers.
A sampling point should be provided between the automatic gas pressure
regulating valve and the deck water seal for use with portable
instruments.
The inert gas pressure sensor and recorder should obtain the signal from
a point in the inert gas main between the deck isolating/non-return valve
and the cargo tanks.
When the pressure in the inert gas main forward of the non-return
devices falls below 50 millimetres water gauge, means shall be provided
to sound an alarm or to shut down the main cargo pumps automatically.
Seawater Service
It is advisable that the main supply of water to the inert gas scrubber be
from an independent pump; the alternative source of supply of water may
be from another pump, such as the sanitary, fire, bilge and ballast pumps,
provided that the quantity of water required by the inert gas scrubber is
readily available, and the requirements of other essential services are not
thereby impaired.
The requirement for two separate pumps capable of supplying water to

the deck water seal can be met by any of the pumps referred to under
alternative source of supply
The pumps supplying water to the scrubber and the deck water seal
should provide the required throughput of water at light draught
conditions; the quantity of water at all other draught conditions should
not flood the scrubber or increase the gas flow resistance excessively.
Loops in the piping of the deck water seal to prevent the backflow of
hydrocarbon vapour or inert gas should be positioned outside the
machinery space and suitably protected against freezing, for example by
steam tracing; with reference to the deck water seal arrangement,
provisions should be made to prevent a pneumatically controlled system
from freezing.
Vacuum breakers provided to prevent the water loops being emptied

should vent to a position on the open deck.
Operation of Inert Gas plant
Inert gas systems may differ in detail, but certain basic principles
remain the same; these are:
(a) starting up the inert gas plant;
(b) shutting down the inert gas plant;
(c) safety checks when the inert gas plant is shut down;
in all cases the manufacturers detailed instructions should be
followed.
Possible failures of inert gas system

and actions to be taken
High oxygen content may be caused or indicated by the following

conditions:
(a) poor ACC at the boiler, especially under low load conditions;
(b) air drawn down the uptake when boiler gas output is less than
the inert gas blower demand, especially under low load conditions;
(c) air leaks between the inert gas blower and the boiler uptake;
(d) faulty operation or calibration of the oxygen analyser;
(e) inert gas plant operating in the recirculation mode; or
(f) entry of air into the inert gas main through the pressure vacuum
valves, mast risers etc. due to mal operation.
Inability to maintain positive pressure during cargo discharge or de

ballasting operations may be caused by:
(a) inadvertent closure of the inert gas valves;

(b) faulty operation of the automatic pressure control system;
(c) inadequate blower pressure; or
(d) a cargo discharge rate in excess of the blower output.
Emergency procedure
In the event of total failure of the inert gas system to deliver the required
quality and quantity of inert gas and maintain a positive pressure in the
cargo and slop tanks, action must be taken immediately to prevent any air
being drawn into the tank; all cargo tank operations should be stopped,
the deck isolating valve closed, and the vent valve between it and the gas
pressure regulating valve opened and immediate action taken to repair the
inert gas system.
In the case of tankers engaged in the carriage of crude oil it is essential
that the cargo tanks be maintained in the inerted condition to avoid the
hazard of pyrophoric iron sulphide ignition; if it is assessed that the tanks
cannot be maintained in an inerted condition before the inert gas system
can be repaired, an external supply of inert gas should be connected
In the case of product carriers, if it is considered to be totally
impracticable to effect a repair to enable the inert gas system to deliver
the required quality and quantity of gas and maintain a positive pressure
in the cargo tanks, cargo discharge and deballasting may only be resumed
provided that either an external supply of inert gas is connected
Maintenance and testing

Testing of Other Units and Alarms
A method should be devised to test the functioning of all units and
alarms; it may be necessary to simulate certain conditions
Such a programme should include checking:
(a) all alarm and safety functions;
(b) the functioning of the flue gas isolating valves;
(c) the operation of all remotely or automatically controlled valves;
(d) the functioning of the water seal and non-return valve
(e) the vibration level of the inert gas blowers;
(g) the interlocking of the soot blowers;
(h) oxygen-measuring equipment, both portable and fixed, for accuracy
by means of both air and a suitable calibration gas.
Suggested Maintenance Programme
Component Preventive maintenance Maintenance interval

Flue gas isolating valves Operating the valveCleaning with compressed or steam
Before start-up and one weekBefore operating valve Dismantling for inspection and
cleaning Boiler shutdown
Flue gas scrubber Water flushing After us
Cleaning of demister Three months
Dismantling of level regulators and temperature probes for inspection
Six months
Opening for full internal inspection Dry docking
Overboard pipes and valve from flue gas scrubber Flushing with scrubber water
pump for about one hour After use
Dismantling of the valve for overhaul, inspection of pipeline and overboard
end Dry-docking/regular period
Blowers Vibration checking While running
Flushing After use
Internal inspection through hatches After flushing and six months
Dismantling for full overhaul of bearings, shaft tightenings and other necessary
work Two years or more frequently if required/dry-docking
Deck water seal Dismantling of level regulators/float valves for inspection Six
months
Opening for total internal inspection One year
Component Preventive maintenance Maintenance interval

Overhaul of auto-valves One year
Deck mechanical non-return valve Moving and lubricating the valve if
necessary One week and before start
Overhaul of auto-valves One year/18 months
Pressure-vacuum valves Operating and lubricating the valves Six months
Opening for full overhaul and inspection One year
Deck isolating valve Opening for overhaul One year
Gas pressure regulating system Removal of condensation instrument, air
supply Before start
Opening of gas pressure regulating valves for overhaul. As appropriate
Liquid filled pressure-vacuum breaker Checking liquid level when system at
atmospheric pressure When opportunity permits and every six months

Inert Gas

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Inert Gas

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Inert Gas System

Must for liquid cargoes with f. pt < 60 C

Capable of maintaining < 8 % O2 & +ive press at all times

(a) further reducing the existing oxygen content and/or

5. Methods of Gas Replacement

6. Description of an Inert Flue Gas System

A gas pressure regulating valve is fitted downstream of the blowers to regulate

A liquid-filled pressure vacuum breaker is fitted to prevent excessive pressure

Function of Inert Gas Blowers

Design of Inert Gas Blowers

The blower pressure/volume characteristics should be matched to the

Function of Non-Return Devices

Deck Water Seal

Deck Mechanical Non-return Valve and Deck Isolating Valve

Inert Gas Vent Valve

Design of Non-return Devices

Inert Gas Distribution System

means of delivering IG to cargo tanks during discharge, de-ballasting and

Design Considerations of Valves and Pipework in IG System

Gas Pressure Regulating and Recirc Arrangements

to prevent automatically any backflow of gas in the event either of a

Arrangements for Inerting, Purging and Gas-freeing

Arrangement Inlet point Outlet point Principle

Liquid-filled Pressure-Vacuum Breakers

One liquid-filled pressure-vacuum breaker, or more, should be fitted,

Instrumentation and Alarms

Instruments are required for the safe and effective operation of IG

The water to scrubber be monitored either by flow meter or pressure

The requirement for two separate pumps capable of supplying water to

Vacuum breakers provided to prevent the water loops being emptied

Possible failures of inert gas system

High oxygen content may be caused or indicated by the following

Inability to maintain positive pressure during cargo discharge or de

(a) inadvertent closure of the inert gas valves;

Maintenance and testing

Suggested Maintenance Programme

Component Preventive maintenance Maintenance interval

Component Preventive maintenance Maintenance interval

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen